Premier Christy Clark is denying reports of a brewing battle within the Liberal caucus over her throne speech and her leadership.
A source tells CKNW the Liberal caucus is in chaos, with some members angry over what they see as an empty throne speech that had some of them falling asleep.
There’s talk of voting against the Liberals’ own budget, of infighting between those who are in solidarity with the Premier and those who want to speak their mind.
Premier Christy Clark was asked if her caucus is in fact in chaos.
“No”
But Clark won’t hazard a guess on whether her government will be able to pass legislation this session given their thin majority, let alone quell any backbench revolt.
Premier Christy Clark is also defending this week’s throne speech, which sources say left many of her own caucus members upset and disillusioned.
Clark makes no excuses for making the centrepiece of the speech a long-term plan to create a prosperity fund to pay off the provincial debt.
“And I think as leaders, we have an obligation to be thinking five years, ten years, 30 years out, what do we want our province to be like for our children? That’s what we should be speaking about, that’s leadership, and so that’s what the throne speech was about.”
And while some MLA’s on the Liberal backbench may not be in love with the speech, Clark says the candidates she’ll be leading to the polls on May 14th is the “best team” her party has ever put forward.
Liberal MLA Randy Hawes has made no secret of his disagreements with the Premier.
But Hawes says that’s no big deal.
“You know I’m not going to sit here and say oh she’s a terrible leader…she is the leader…now some of the direction I haven’t particularly agreed with but you know that’s again I say it’s not an unhealthy thing, you can have disagreements within your party and if the disagreements make you uncomfortable, then the best thing you can do is get out of the way.”
Hawes is one of several Liberals who will not be running for re-election.
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